Sat on the southern most coast of France, the sprawling city of Marseille is famed as the largest commercial port in the country and is also renowned as one of the toughest stops on the FIM X-Trial World Championship tour. The compact Palais des Sports de Marseille arena with its steep and close public seating has a history of creating an intimidating atmosphere for the riders, who will have to contend with the noise of the crowd, the heat along with the actual test of the seven sections and dual lane race that will decide the eventual winner tomorrow evening.
Missing from the 2013 calendar, it was Toni Bou – Repsol Montesa who was victorious in Marseille when the series last came to town in 2012. Compatriots Adam Raga – Gas Gas and Albert Cabestany – Sherco made it an all-Spanish podium on that evening two years ago. Although the main contenders remain the same, a new and more dynamic format for this year’s championship events means that the winner this time around is more difficult to predict as the riders prepare to go head to head over a course that includes an obvious nautical theme. With three French riders amongst the ten starters, hopes for some home success is understandably running high….Vive la France.
Communication Jake Miller - G2F Media - www.g2fmedia.com